Is social media really social?

January 10, 2014 By: Jasmine

So, you’ve earned the respect of a few thousand instagram followers, a hoard of facebook and twitter followers, and whatever other social networks you’re on. People that connect with you excitedly come to read the thoughts you’ve penned on your blog. They respect that you share and over-share your life so they can maybe learn some tips from whatever it is you’re good at. This is all awesome for you, and your business, and your entrepreneurial soul. But in the midst of all this, have YOU earned your OWN respect?

This thought hit me as I was driving my little girl to school this morning. Excessive use of social media and then consequently boycotting it are quite the rage right now. Why do we let ourselves fall into that trap in the first place? Because it’s easier to imagine the life you dream of through a four inch phone screen, than to actually CHALLENGE yourself to go live it. This was still me talking to myself in the car.

Here’s the funny part.As per Merriam-Webster,the word “social” means “relating to or involving activities in which people spend time talking to each other or doing enjoyable things with each other” and “liking to be with and talking to people : happy to be with people”. Hmmm, social media on the other hand is alienating and lonely. Whoa!

Now let’s get REALLY honest. Do you actually live your life the way you BLOG about it? If you do, kudos to you! High fives! If you don’t, welcome to my humble side friend. Not to say we’re not trying, of course we are. But maybe its time to admit that perfection is not achievable. As my friend Emily Ley says “Grace not perfection”.

Let’s take the last month and this month for example. How many of us have spent many hours online or in stores trying to find the perfect 2014 planner, feverishly making goals for the new year, then filling in that perfect planner with our favorite polka dotted gold pen… and then… stressed ourselves out about it? How many of us have seen countless Instagram snapshots about a perfect 2013 and an even better 2014? Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of this, stay with me and remember we are on the same team here.

Sometimes all of this makes me wonder what happened to spontaneity? What happened to looking up from that pretty planner, unplugging ourselves and living the life that we often DON’T make an official goal out of? WHY are we over-planning our lives? So that if something doesn’t go according to plan, we are then naturally upset. Ironically, my previous blog post states that I’m ready for 2014. And I am. But I’m arming myself with the mental ammo I need when things DON’T go according to plan. Case in point this week, when some pipes in our house sprung several leaks after being frozen. Talk about being thrown off schedule and a well-planned week.

The point of my ramblings today? Just breathe. It’s okay if you haven’t filled in your planner yet. It’s okay if it hasn’t even arrived because you didn’t plan ahead and ordered it too late. It’s okay if half of January is almost over and you haven’t started working on any of your goals. Take a deep breath. Feel alive. Go take a walk if its not freezing where you live. Send up a prayer of gratitude for whatever makes you thankful. Hug the love of your life and your babies. Pull out your favorite recipe book and cook up a storm for them. Do what fires you up. You are alive and well, that’s all that matters.

“You go through life wondering what is it all about, but at the end of the day, it’s all about family.” – Rod Stewart